ugh the waiting game is the WORST. feels like watching paint dry 🤡

I feel your pain! Same thing happened to me last year - blank transcript for weeks even though it showed up as available. Turns out the IRS creates the transcript "shell" before they actually populate it with data. For cycle 05 filers, this is super common since we're in that early processing batch. Mine finally updated after about 3 weeks with all the transaction codes and cycle info. Just keep checking Friday mornings since that's when cycle 05 typically updates. The waiting is brutal but totally normal! 🤞

Another option to consider is filing electronically through the IRS FIRE system (Filing Information Returns Electronically). I switched to this last year for our 30+ contractors. There's a bit of a learning curve and you have to apply for a Transmitter Control Code first, but once set up, it's much easier than paper filing. Plus electronic filing gives you until March 31st instead of February 28th for the IRS deadline (though you still have to get forms to contractors by Jan 31).

For your situation with 25 contractors in Florida, you're absolutely correct that you can mail all the 1099-NEC forms together in one envelope to the Ogden processing center. This is actually the preferred method for the IRS when you have multiple forms. Here's exactly what to include in your envelope: - All 25 Copy A (red) forms of the 1099-NEC - One completed Form 1096 that summarizes all your 1099-NECs (total count and total dollar amounts) - Make sure each 1099-NEC shows the correct information matching the contractor's W-9 You can definitely complete these by hand with a black pen - just write clearly and press firmly so it transfers through all copies. However, with 25 forms, you might find it easier and more accurate to use tax software. One important tip: Double-check that you're using the current mailing address for your region, as the IRS has been consolidating processing centers. The address should be in the 1099-NEC instructions, but it's worth verifying if you downloaded older forms. Also remember that contractors need their copies (Copy B) by January 31st - that's separate from your filing with the IRS.

Your friend might be what the IRS calls a "ghost taxpayer" but it's definitely not sustainable! A few thoughts on how this might have happened: 1) If they've worked as an independent contractor and nobody issued 1099s, the IRS might not have automatic records of their income 2) For the mortgage, they're probably not on the loan at all - only their partner with the W2 qualified 3) For hospital bills, if they paid cash or had insurance through a partner/employer without being the primary policyholder, it wouldn't trigger tax flags 4) For the child, the other parent may be claiming them on their taxes The most concerning part is retirement. Without tax records, they won't have Social Security credits for those working years. They're effectively planning to retire with potentially zero Social Security benefits. They need to fix this ASAP, starting with consulting a tax attorney who specializes in non-filer cases.

This situation is sadly more common than you'd think, especially among people who've worked in cash-heavy industries. Your friend has been incredibly lucky to avoid detection for this long, but they're sitting on a ticking time bomb. Here's what probably happened: If they've consistently worked jobs that pay cash or as unreported independent contractors, there may be no paper trail for the IRS to follow. No W-2s, no 1099s filed by employers means no automatic red flags in the system. But here's the reality check - they need to address this immediately. Not just because of potential penalties, but because they're destroying their financial future. Every year they don't file is a year of lost Social Security credits. At 40-something, they've already forfeited 20+ years of retirement benefits. If they wait until retirement to deal with this, they'll be facing poverty in their golden years. The good news is that voluntary disclosure programs exist specifically for situations like this. A qualified tax professional can help them file the necessary back returns (usually 6 years minimum) and negotiate with the IRS. The penalties for voluntary disclosure are typically much more manageable than if the IRS discovers them first. Your friend needs to stop living in denial and get professional help NOW. Every day they wait makes the situation worse, both financially and legally.

Another option that hasn't been mentioned - if you can't get your W2 through any of the other methods, you can actually file your return using Form 4852 (Substitute for Form W-2). This lets you report your wages and withholdings based on your final paystub or other records you have. You'll need to include as much information as possible about your wages, federal income tax withheld, Social Security and Medicare taxes, etc. The IRS will match it against what your employer reported, and if there are discrepancies, they'll contact you. This should really be a last resort since it can delay processing and potentially trigger additional correspondence with the IRS. But if you're truly unable to get your W2 or wage transcripts before the filing deadline, it's better than not filing at all. Just make sure to keep detailed records of how you calculated the amounts you're reporting. Given that you have the automatic extension until June 15 as an expat, you probably have enough time to try the other methods first (contacting HR, getting IRS transcripts, etc.) before having to go this route.

Just wanted to add another resource that might help - the IRS has a specific publication (Pub 54) called "Tax Guide for U.S. Citizens and Resident Aliens Abroad" that covers a lot of these expat tax situations in detail. It's available as a free PDF download from IRS.gov. One thing I learned from experience is that if you're going to be living abroad long-term, it's worth setting up mail forwarding with the postal service before you leave (if you haven't already). I know that doesn't help your current situation, but for future years it can save a lot of headaches with tax documents and other important mail. Also, since you mentioned using TurboTax in the past, be aware that their international tax features are somewhat limited. You might want to consider tax software specifically designed for expats like FreeTaxUSA or even consulting with a tax professional who specializes in expat returns, especially if you end up qualifying for FEIE or need to deal with foreign tax credits in future years. The expat tax situation gets more complex each year you're abroad, so it's good to get familiar with all these options now!

Has anyone here dealt with a situation where you accidentally put interest in the wrong category when filing? I did that last year and got a notice from the IRS. Just wondering if it's worth fighting about or just paying the difference.

I'm going through almost the exact same situation right now! I had about $52k in interest income from CDs and high-yield savings accounts, and with my $340k salary, it's getting hammered at what feels like 40% too. One thing I learned from my tax preparer is that timing matters for future years. If you know you're going to have a lot of interest income, you might want to make estimated quarterly payments to avoid a huge shock at filing time. Also, she suggested looking into I Bonds (Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities) since they have some tax advantages - you can defer the tax on the interest until you cash them out, and they're exempt from state taxes. It's frustrating because you feel like you're being penalized for saving money, but apparently this is just how progressive taxation works when you're in the higher brackets. Still stings though!